
After weeks of deliberation, Prince Harry decided to accept his father's King Charles' invitation to his Coronation, while Meghan Markle respectfully declined.
While, for many reasons, this feels like the right decision for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, one royal author believes it further shines a light on how dire the couple's relationship with the rest of the family is these days—and on the duchess in particular as a symbol, if not a principal cause, of the growing rift.
"What it [Meghan's absence] says is that the real row, or the main source of the row, the source of all the disagreements is Meghan," Tom Quinn, author of Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family, told Express.
"Charles will be pleased that Harry is there. 50 percent of him will be pleased and the other 50 percent will be thinking [that] the whole world will notice that Meghan hasn't turned up."
Elsewhere, it has also been reported that Charles is "disappointed" that Meghan won't be there on a more personal level, since he won't get to see her or the Sussex children.
But for Quinn, Meghan may be the reason Harry left the royal fold.
"Lovely though she is in many ways, she so disliked all the stuffy rules of the Royal Family that she, kind of, she hasn't driven Harry away from the family, she dragged him away," he said.
"He's gone willingly because he's no longer, he doesn't feel, you know, he just exists as the spare. He has an independent existence as a critic of the Royal Family."
He added that if Meghan had gone to the Coronation, it would have "looked more like they could, at least, be at this major event without any problem."
While I see Quinn's point, it's also worth noting that the duchess' presence at the Queen's Jubilee last year only served to further remind royal fans of the rift, rather than giving the impression it was healed.
Royal commentator Afua Hagan has previously hypothesized that Meghan isn't attending the event in order to protect herself from unnecessary scrutiny, while royal expert Jennie Bond called the Sussexes' RSVP decision "the best compromise."
Last but not least, while meeting Meghan might have served as a catalyst for Harry leaving his royal duties behind, the duke has expressed on more than one occasion that he always felt a little different and on the sidelines when it came to his place in the family.
He has also called out the term "Megxit," which he reportedly believes gives the mistaken impression that Meghan made the decision to leave the Royal Family alone, rather than them having decided together that it was what was best for them as a family.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
These Brushes Will Completely Change How You Apply Makeup
The Kevyn Aucoin The Duet Foundation Brush is our desert island pick.
By Samantha Holender
-
Channing Tatum Says He YouTubed How to Braid Daughter Everly's Hair When He Became a Single Dad
Two words: Girl. Dad.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
'SATC' Star Evan Handler Says He'll "Welcome" Kim Cattrall's Return on His TV Set
She didn't see anyone while filming her cameo.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Is Seen Skipping Happily With Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in Behind-the-Scenes Footage
This is too cute.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Blames 'Daily Mirror' Publishers for Chelsy Davy Breakup in Court Documents
The court case began this week.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Tabloid Stories About Prince Harry Came From Members of the Royal Family, 'Daily Mirror' Publisher Claims
These claims could corroborate previous statements from Harry.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Hugged a Little Girl Who Burst Into Tears During Windsor Walkabout, And Told Her Mom to Get Her an Ice Cream
So cute!!!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Here's How Princess Kate Kept an Eye on Prince Louis During the Coronation, According to a Body Language Expert
Smart.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Louis Was Filmed Eating a S'more So Delicious It Literally Made Him "Weak at the Knees"
Oh, Louis.
By Iris Goldsztajn